The interest of the laboratory is mainly focused on the physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of plant mineral nutrition paying also attention to woody species like grapevine. Several issues related to the soil-rhizosphere-root system are approached with emphases on nutrient availability and the action of exogenous factors (e.g. fraction of soil organic matter and biostimulants) on the mechanism of nutrient acquisition and uptake. The physiological responses to the nutritional stresses and fluctuation of nutrient availability are also matter of concern. Furthermore, particular attention is paid to the study of molecular and biochemical mechanism operating at the level of plant plasma membrane carrying out and regulating the uptake.
The laboratory performs also studies on soil fertility and the assessment of plant nutrient requirement and is active in the field of development of innovative sustainable fertilizers.

The expertise of the group concerns the molecular study of microorganisms related to food production and preservation, including pro-technological microorganisms relevant in the production as well as spoiling microorganisms that may occur, and molecular mechanisms of synergy and antagonism.